Chicago Area Dodges Worst Of Midwest Storms
Updated 06/04/14 - 11:03 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Though some rain was moving through the Chicago area Wednesday morning, the worst of a damaging storm system passed well south of the city and suburbs after bringing plenty of damage to Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa.
CBS 2 Meteorologist Megan Glaros reports the Chicago area escaped the worst of the storm, though some light rain was falling throughout the city and suburbs, with moderate rain south of Chicago.
The chance for showers and storms ends for most of the area by around noon.
Meantime, much of central Illinois and and central Indiana were being soaked by heavy rain, with many reports of flooding, hail, and high winds.
That storm system left behind a trail of damage across several states as vicious storms tore through Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa. Heavy rains, thunderstorms, and flooding whipped through that section of the country Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, causing residents to run for cover and take caution on the roadways
Hail slammed into parts of Omaha, Nebraska, as the storms rolled through, with some hailstones the size of baseballs in some parts of the state. Twelve people even suffered minor injuries after being struck by hail.
The significant rains in Nebraska also caused flooding that trapped residents in homes and cars. Police and fire crews had to use rescue boats to reach many stranded residents.
There also have been unconfirmed reports of tornados touching down in Nebraska and Iowa.
In Iowa, wind gusts reached as high as 100 mph in some areas.